A/N: I am soooooosoooooosoooosoo sorry for the wait! My computer died last week, and I had to wait for the new one, plus I had to transfer all my documents onto the new computer. But it's all fixed and good and here's the next chapter. Thank you to all my reviewers, espicially the ones that begged for a new chapter. Thanks for being so patient, and please enjoy!

BAU High School

Chapter 35: Finally Becoming Friends

As the days passed by, the team had begun to slowly become accustomed to their latest member. They were definitely a bit friendlier, though they were still a bit wary.

Spencer and Penelope welcomed JJ with open arms. It was obvious Spencer would because of their study sessions, but everyone was surprised at how close JJ and Penelope had become. JJ preferred to sit next to Penelope at lunch, and they were constantly laughing together.

Aaron was just happy to see JJ fit in with his friends. He was the most understanding, of course. It helped that he had been through the same exact thing a few months ago.

Emily and Derek were the people who were the most cautious. They were still very nice, but it was clear they weren't best friends with the former mean girl. Derek teased her every now and then, though not to the extent as he did with Emily.

Emily was trying her best to make nice, but JJ was also cautious of Emily. Both girls had exchanged some pretty harsh words in the past, and they weren't about to forget.

If anything, the girls were impossibly polite to each other. They would exchange small smiles and quietly compliment the other girl on her shirt, but they weren't close. Far from it.

Aaron knew it as well. It hurt him to see his girlfriend and his best girl friend tiptoe around each other, but he knew there wasn't much he could do. Talking to either of them didn't help.

"You know, JJ isn't going to bite you," he told Emily one day after school while they were at his house. "You could sit with her if you wanted to."

"She sits next to Pen," said Emily. Part of her actually did want to sit with JJ so she could get to know her, but she didn't want to push.

"Just ask her," Aaron pressed. "I know you want to."

She let out a frustrated sigh. Of course he knew. He knew her better than anyone else.

"We'll see," she said instead. Aaron knew this conversation for over, so he started a new one.

"So Valentine's Day is coming up," he said slowly, running his hand up and down her arm. They were both curled up on his couch in the living room. Emily leaned in closer at Aaron's touch.

"Yeah, it is." She craned her neck to look at him. "What were you thinking?"

He kissed her gently before answering. "Why would I tell you that? It ruins the surprise."

"Oh, it does, does it?" She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Why can't you just tell me?"

"That would be no fun," he said simply.

In response to that, Emily sat up and scooted over to the other side of the couch.

"What's that for?" Aaron whined.

"You won't tell me."

"Fine. Be that way." He turned away from her and faced the television.

Damn it, she thought. He could be impossibly stubborn when he wanted to be.

Deciding on another tactic, Emily stretched her legs out so her feet were resting against his leg. She suppressed a grin when she saw him frown slightly. She slowly ran her foot up and down his leg and saw him barely shiver.

"You're mean," he said lowly.

"You're the one withholding information," she said smartly.

He sighed, and then suddenly grabbed her foot. With a quick jerk, he dragged her across the couch so both her legs were on his lap.

"I just want to make it special," Aaron said softly. Emily's heart warmed at the sincerity in his voice.

"Okay," she whispered. "I'm sorry I pushed."

"Don't be." He leaned over and kissed her passionately. "You get curious about things, and you need answers. I get that. That's one of the things I love about you."

Emily's eyes widened when she heard a certain word. Did he just…?

"What else do you love about me?" she said slowly, her heart beating madly. Was he going to say it?

Aaron hoped she didn't hear his little slip up, but evidently she had. Licking his lips nervously, he tentatively met her eyes.

"Well…" He was cut off by the phone ringing.

Saved by the bell, he thought in relief.

DAMN IT! Emily thought as she watched Aaron jump up to answer the phone. Whoever you are on the phone, you suck!

The next day found Emily, Aaron, Spencer, and JJ sitting the library. Since JJ was now part of the group, they decided to combine their study groups.

"Calculus sucks," JJ muttered as she shoved her notebook to the middle of the table. It hit Aaron's, causing his hand to slip and mess up the word he was writing.

"JJ! You messed up my paper!"

"Sorry, Aaron," she apologized.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Emily said, turning her head so her ear was facing JJ. "What did you call him?"

JJ rolled her eyes. "Sorry, Hotch."

"Better," Emily chirped with a grin.

"Where did that name even come from?" asked JJ.

"Derek doesn't like calling me Aaron because it represents the football player," Aaron answered.

"And he says Hotchner is too long," Spencer added without looking up from his book.

"I thought you didn't like being called Hotch," JJ said after a moment.

"It's grown on me," Aaron said sheepishly. Emily smiled and squeezed his hand.

The four teens went back to work, and when the period was over they made their way to the cafeteria. Emily fell back and pulled her boyfriend back with her.

"What's up, sweetheart?" he asked concernedly.

"I thought about what you said yesterday," she whispered, and his heart started to race. He hoped she would let the l-word go, but it seemed she was dead set on it.

"I'm going to try to sit next to JJ today," she said instead. Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't ready to tell her everything just yet.

"That's great," he said enthusiastically. He nudged her shoulder with his. "What made you change your mind?"

"I just figured that if she's going to be here for awhile, I might as well try to be her friend."

He smiled. "Thank you."

Emily raised her eyebrows. "I'm not doing this for you, you know."

"I know." He kissed her on the cheek. "Consider it to be from JJ."

When they reached their table in the crowded lunch room, Aaron gently pushed Emily forward with a reassuring smile. Taking a deep breath, she walked up to JJ. She was already sitting next to Penelope, and Pen had Derek on her right.

"Hey, do you, uh, mind if I sit here?" She gestured lamely to the empty seat next to the blonde.

JJ looked surprised, but she smiled nonetheless. "Sure."

Emily slowly took her seat, and Aaron sat next to her. He grinned and kissed her on the cheek.

Conversation started up, but Emily and JJ remained silent. Both girls were unsure about how to proceed.

JJ decided to take the initiative. "So, how's your and, uh, Hotch's relationship going?"

"Great," Emily replied, grateful for the conversation starter. "He says he has something planned for Valentine's Day, but he won't tell me."

"Oh, don't worry. Knowing Aar- Hotch, he has something truly amazing planned," said JJ with a smile.

"How long have you known him?"

"Since elementary school," JJ confessed. "We've been friends, though not as close as we are now."

"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you two are close now," Emily said quietly. "You deserve to have at least one decent guy in your life, even if he is just a friend." She gave JJ a pointed look at the end, and the blonde raised her hands.

"Hey, I'm not one to steal anyone's boyfriend. He's all yours."

Emily smiled guiltily. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I was accusing you, but…" Her voice trailed off.

"But what?" JJ prompted. Emily closed her eyes.

"It's just, you were Haley's best friend and considering the way you used to feel about me…"

"Say no more," JJ said with a nod. "I understand why you would be nervous."

"I'm sorry. You've been trying so hard to be nice, but I'm a little distrustful, I guess."

"Emily," JJ said with a small smile. "Don't be sorry. You have every right to be wary of me. I haven't been the nicest to you."

"No, you haven't," Emily said lightly. She eyed JJ thoughtfully. "You were just acting the way you always have, I guess."

The blonde smiled sadly. "I wish I could say I wasn't always a bitch, but I can't. I mean, I know when I was really young I was nice, but then I met Haley, and she has been a bitch her whole life."

"When did you meet her?" asked Emily gently.

"Eighth grade," she said softly. "We've been best friends ever since."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Emily took a deep breath. "For the way she betrayed you. No best friend should do that to another."

"You know, you already said sorry about that."

Emily cracked a smile. "Yeah, but I mean it now."

That got a laugh out of JJ. She looked at the brunette in a new light now. "Thank you."

The two girls were silent again, and they didn't speak to each other again until the whole team was leaving the lunch room. Emily grabbed JJ's wrist and pulled her behind the group.

"You know, if you ever wanted to, um, talk or throw darts at a picture of Haley," JJ laughed at that, "you could always call me." She looked at the ground right away, afraid of JJ's reaction.

JJ was surprised. She honestly didn't think she and Emily Prentiss would ever be friends, but now she was offering it up. JJ was happy to discover that's what she wanted.

"Thanks. I'll definitely take you up on that." Emily smiled shyly. Before they parted ways, JJ grabbed Emily's arm.

"By the way, the offer stands for you too. You can always call me if you want to."

Emily's smile grew, and she said, "I guess there's a lot more to you then I originally thought, Jennifer Jareau."

"Ditto, Emily Prentiss."

"So what do you have planned for Valentine's Day?" JJ asked Aaron as they walked down the hall together. It was the end of the day, and Emily had to leave right after Psychology.

"What do you mean?" he asked distractedly.

"What are you doing for Emily on Valentine's Day?" she asked impatiently.

"Oh." He shot her a sidelong glance. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"What?" JJ cried. Aaron grinned.

"I saw you talking to Emily today. You guys look like friends now."

JJ smiled shyly. "We are."

"Then how do I know you won't tell Emily my plans?"

"Ohh," JJ nodded in understanding, "I see. I promise you, I won't."

Aaron stopped walking and turned to face her fully. "Swear on your lucky soccer ball."

JJ rolled her eyes before nodding dutifully. "I swear on my lucky soccer ball."

Aaron grinned. "Okay." He leaned over and whispered in her ear. JJ's eyes widened as she listened.

"Oh my gosh. Aaron, that's amazing!" she whispered excitedly. Why can't there be more guys like him? She thought.

"You think so?" he asked nervously.

"Yes! You have got to be the sweetest guy in this entire school. Maybe even the world!"

"Okay, that might be pushing it," he said with a chuckle as they resumed walking. "I just want to make our first Valentine's Day together really special."

"First?" JJ raised her eyebrows. "You planning on more?"

"Of course. I think," he took a deep breath, "I think I love her."

JJ's eyes widened again. "Wow. That's serious. Maybe a little too serious."

Aaron frowned. "What do you mean?" His voice was tight.

JJ closed her eyes. Crap, she didn't mean to offend him. "I just mean… Didn't you say you loved Haley?"

Aaron's hand clenched into a fist at the mention of his ex-girlfriend. "I did." He turned and looked deep into JJ's eyes, willing her to understand what he was feeling. "But this is different. So different. It's real."

JJ's mouth fell open a bit at how raw his voice was. She understood. "Well, good for you."

He scrutinized her carefully. "Really? You mean that?"

She smiled. "I do. I wish you and Emily the best," she said sincerely.

Aaron's face softened. "Thank you."

They were silent all the way to the parking lot where they started to walk to their separate cars. Aaron suddenly grabbed JJ's hand before she walked away.

"You called me Aaron!" he said accusingly.

"What?" she asked blankly.

"Earlier you called me Aaron," he said simply. "It's Hotch, and you know it."

JJ rolled her eyes before smiling. "Bye, Hotch."

He grinned. "Bye, JJ."

"I think I love her." Haley didn't even wait to see what Aaron said next before stomping off down the hallway. She was going to be sick.

Will hurried after her and grabbed her arm before she could run into the bathroom around the corner.

"What was that for?" he hissed. "I thought we were going to keep listening!"

"I couldn't hear anymore," Haley spat. "Him saying he loves her… That's a lie! He doesn't love her, he loves me!"

"Doesn't seem it," Will muttered. Haley's eyes narrowed even more.

"Oh, and seeing JJ with those losers doesn't piss you off?"

"It does, believe me, but I thought you were happy with our relationship."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Please, the endless make-out sessions are great and all, but I'm meant to be with Aaron, and you're meant to be with JJ."

Will frowned briefly before shrugging. "Whatever. He's with Prentiss now, so it doesn't matter."

Haley smiled deviously. "He won't be with her for long. I have a plan, and you're going to help me."

"Wait, what?" asked Will in horror. "Since when did I agree to that?"

"You didn't," Haley shrugged. "But don't you want JJ back?"

"Yeah," Will said slowly.

"Well, there you go!" Haley said happily. She grabbed his hand and dragged him down the hallway. "Now we have some planning to do."

If you don't hate me too much for taking a long time with this chapter, please leave a review! =)